muscadine: (Gender/Pomo/Performativity/Butler)
muscadine ([personal profile] muscadine) wrote2008-05-27 02:50 pm

I learned a new term today

Or at least a new connotation. I've probably heard this connotation before, but it never really sunk in before. We were discussing Pascoe's "Dude, You're A Fag" article in class today1, when one of the students noted that the term "Vag" is on the rise and is used similarly (though not identically - it is more associated with stereotypically effeminate behaviors like concern with appearance or emotionality, and less with behaviors that are considered non-masculine, like incompetence or stupidity). Apparently there is also an associated hand gesture, where index fingers and thumbs are placed together to form a triangle/V.


1 For those not familiar with Pascoe's work, which is also in book form, she argues "Fag" is predominantly used in adolescent culture as a temporary label to reinforce hegemonic masculine behavior among heterosexual males.

gender

[identity profile] robingf.livejournal.com 2008-06-15 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
In the Samoan culture although strongly influenced by christian missionaries, they still have a strong and vital third gender role.
The Fa fa afeena. Most indigenous cultures do. Not that the behavior you speak of here doesnt exist within thesse cultures but, for most indigenous peoples sexuality is a liquid thing.
Just a thought

Re: gender

[identity profile] legolastn.livejournal.com 2008-06-16 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, I spend at least one day in my sociology of sexualities class mentioned above talking about alternative conceptions of gender, including the idea of "third genders" and other sexes/genders.